STD Prevention

With all of the products and education out there, why is it still so easy to get an STD? This is an excellent question, and the answer is not an easy one. STDs are changing, and your strategies to avoid them will have to change, as well. You can make sure you use the correct prevention products, treat any infections quickly, self-test, and become aware of the symptoms and appearance of STDs. Education and your personal choices will make a huge difference in being able to stay healthy.

What may be the worst news is that the viruses are adapting to our antibiotics. This means that someday, the virus may not be killed at all by the medications that we use today to treat it. Taking care that you do not get infected even once will be the safest course.

Protection

One of the easiest methods to lessen your chances of getting an STD is to make sure that you use the proper type of protection, regardless of the activity. There are many more options over-the-counter, and they seem to improve and increase yearly. Before planning any activity that might include sex, think about what you may be willing to do, and shop accordingly. You may need a variety of barrier products, and having more than you need is safer than having less. You need to read the recommendations for use: a broken barrier may not be noticed until too late.

Infections

There are many types of infections: anything that throws the natural balance of bacteria off can weaken your natural resistance to any disease, but STDs will take advantage of any break in the skin to infect you, and a bacterial infection just gives it an advantage. Both genders need to be careful in this respect. Passing on an infection may not be life-changing, but isn't healthy for either of you.

Testing

One of the great things about the current technology is the ease that you can get self-test kits. I recommend testing yourself and having your partner do the same before any sex takes place. A negative result or one that is unclear should be checked by a professional. Yes, this may be embarrassing. But being sure you are both healthy is only wise in this age of climbing STD numbers.

Signs and Symptoms

There are studies showing that anyone- male or female- may have an infection or STD without showing signs of it. The worst offender is syphilis: this shows NO symptoms- not even a small one- until it is too late for any treatment. But many of the other ones show only small signs. You need to educate yourself and be honest with your partner-and demand the same from them.

What About Kissing?

Even kissing, especially if you have a small cut or another break in your skin, can increase your chances of herpes. You may not know the origin of that herpes virus: herpes can be seen on any part of the body. And the virus is getting more adaptable, and is taking hold in locations where it used to not be as easily 'caught'.